Tick Activity and Lyme Disease Risk in the Southeast
Ticks are most active during warmer months, especially in the Southeast, and while they can be encountered in any season, the highest risk for bites occurs when temperatures rise. To avoid ticks, you should take preventative measures, especially when spending time outdoors in wooded areas, tall grass, or brush.
Lyme Disease Cases in the Southeast
Cases of Lyme disease in the Southeast are typically concentrated in the northwestern part of the state, near the Blue Ridge Mountains. But Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina all have a moderate amount of Lyme disease cases.
How do you find a specialist in this part of the country? Several organizations maintain directories of “Lyme-literate” physicians that you can use to search for a doctor in the region. There are also referral services to help patients find specialists who focus on tick-borne diseases.
Tick Activity and Prevention
The South Carolina Department of Public Health stated that most Lyme disease cases in this region are year-round but most common in the spring and summer months. Prevention is the key.
Tips for Prevention:
- Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants, tucking your pants into your socks.
- Avoid tall grass, brush, and wooded areas where ticks thrive.
Common Tick Species in the Region
The main carrier in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia for Lyme disease is the blacklegged tick, which is present in the state but in low numbers. Other ticks, like the lone star and Gulf Coast ticks, are more common but do not carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.
Misdiagnosis and When to Seek Care
It’s not uncommon for Lyme disease to be misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, lupus, mononucleosis, ulcerative colitis, ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, or fibromyalgia.
If you have been bitten by a tick and live in an area known to have Lyme disease, schedule an appointment right away so that a proper diagnosis can be made and treatment started.
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